Health
THE Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, ASPHCDA, Chioma Ezenyimulu, says Anambra is committed to the fight against polio and related infections in the state.
Ezenyimulu said this at the state technical meeting for Outbreak Response, OBR 1, in all 21 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state at ASPHCDA office complex, Awka.
She noted that the Outbreak Response tagged ‘OBR One’ was a result of environmental samples of Circulating Vaccines Derived Polio infections in Onitsha South and Anambra East LGAs respectively.
No fewer than 50 national monitors have been deployed to the state by African Field Epidemiology Network, AFENET, and WHO to supervise the exercise.
“You will recall that we had ‘OBR zero’ for Onitsha South and Anambra East LGAs from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12.
“Our neighbouring Kogi State had an outbreak late last year, so now we have to do this Outbreak Response in all 21 LGAs of the state.
“This campaign is to commence from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25 and we are going to immunise every child from 0-59 months with two drops of MOPV Polio vaccine,’’ she said.
Ezenyimulu appealed to parents/caregivers to allow them access into their homes as teams would be going from house to house, churches, mosques, playgrounds, schools and market places to ensure no child is missed.
WHO State Coordinator, Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, said the OBR presents a chance for the state to curb circulation of Poliovirus.
He urged the supervisors of the campaign not to stop at LGA levels, but to also go into wards and fields in order to acquire proper knowledge of the exercise.
UNICEF Communication for Development (C4D) Consultant, Felix Okocha, noted that Anambra State had a high index for health-seeking behaviour.
He urged supervisors to report any area with issues of non-compliance so that it would be dealt with appropriately.
He commended the executive secretary and other partners in the state for the efforts in ensuring the strengthening of the healthcare system.
– Feb. 24, 2020 @ 15:25 GMT |
Tags: Anambra committed to fight against polio related infections – Official
